The wife of Britain's Prince William, Catherine, has delivered her first speech in a foreign country during a visit to a Malaysian hospice.

Catherine briefly addressed staff and patients of Hospis Malaysia, highlighting the need for palliative care - a multidisciplinary approach to relieve the physical, emotional and other pain of long-time disease-sufferers.

"Providing children and their families with a place of support, care and enhancement at a time of great need is simply life-changing," she said.

"With effective palliative care, lives can be transformed."

Kate's speech has been one of the most anticipated events of the royal couples' nine-day Asia Pacific tour.

Other highlights include William's unexpected revelation in Singapore that he wants to have two children.

The pair will be in Malaysia until Saturday before they fly off to Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.